Weird festive tradition sees 'pooping log' get beaten up and fed every day

31 December 2023 , 07:00

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Catalonian families look after and 'feed' a 'popping log' at Christmas before hitting it with sticks (Image: Getty Images)

The festive season is coming to a close, after one too many Bailey's, a whole tub of Quality Street, and so much gravy that your bloodstream is essentially made of the brown stuff.

We all have our own Christmas traditions. Here in the UK we are rather set in our ways when it comes to celebrating Christmas, but our habits, in comparison with other countries around the world, seem rather tame.

Icelandic children don't just get one Santa Claus, they get 13 mischievous trolls roaming around the country a fortnight before Christmas - similar to Snow White's Seven Dwarfs. Meanwhile in Japan, families often tuck into KFC on Christmas Day, and in Austria they is an evil Santa named Krampus who is said to terrorise naughty children.

Mexicans host a vegetable carving competition while in Norway, it's thought that Christmas Eve coincides with the arrival of evil spirits and witches. People in Ukraine typically decorate their trees with fake spider webs; it is said to to bring good luck.

One of the most unique traditions is in Catalonia, Spain, where they observe not one but two faeces-related traditions. The first is the 'caganer' meaning 'the pooper' - a figurine of a pant-less man exposing his bum and poo, used as part of the nativity scene.

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Over the years many celebrity names have been depicted as caganers. Some think the caganer was originally a portent of good harvest and fortune to come for the year ahead.

The second tradition is Caga Tio de Nadal, nicknamed 'Caga Tio', also known as the 'pooping log'. It is a figurine featuring a small wooden log with a grin on its face and jaunty red hat that goes on the Christmas dinner table.

The Caga Tio de Nadal, typically has a smiling face and wears a hat (Getty Images)

Back in the day an old log was all you needed, but now it is common for the pooping logs to come with one of their sides painted with a happy face. People must protect the Caga Tio by keeping it under a blanket and 'feeding' it nuts and sweets every day from December 8 until December 24.

It is typical for Catalonians to beat it with sticks on Christmas Eve so it 'poops out presents' while singing a song. Typically relatives put gifts under the blanket for children. After everyone has collected their gifts, the family burns the wooden character for warmth.

If you are visiting the likes of Barcelona over the festive period you will see the 'pooping log' crop up at Christmas markets.

Do you have any unusual Christmas traditions? Share them with us in the comments below.

Lucy Marshall